Graham Barton Shares Traits With Trio Of Bucs Greats

Once Licht explained some of the players he sees in Graham Barton, it was easy to understand why he was so thrilled to have the two-time All-American and two-time All-ACC selection fall to Tampa Bay at No. 26.

“He reminded me a little bit – and a lot of us – of Ali [Marpet],” Licht said. “He had some Ryan Jensen in him, which is a very good thing, too, and the personality of Tristan Wirfs. So, he had some pretty good lab work there.”

“Pretty good lab work” is right, isn’t it?

Marpet, Jensen and Wirfs are three of the best Bucs offensive linemen – not only in recent history, but of all time.

Those three players are revered within the walls of the Bucs’ facility and among the Tampa Bay faithful. That makes sense, considering they have five Pro Bowls between them and made up 60% of the Super Bowl LV-winning offensive line in 2020.

It goes without saying that Licht wasn’t putting Barton level with three of the best offensive linemen in franchise history, but to see some of them in their 2024 first-round pick? That’s exciting, and it’s no wonder the veteran general manager and the Bucs’ brass were drawn to him.

Licht went on to say that Barton has “all of the traits” they look for when they’re trying to find players who will go on to be great Bucs.

“Well, he’s a rookie – he hasn’t played in the NFL and he hasn’t experienced all that stuff,” Licht said. “He’s got the tools to do it all. He’s a very athletic guy, he plays with a great base, he plays with good anchor, and he plays with a nasty temperament. It’s all ingredients that we look for in our offensive line. He fits all of the traits that we look for in a [Buccaneer] – to be a great [Buccaneer]. We’re excited about that.”

It’s Easy To See Why The Bucs Like Graham Barton

It was especially interesting to hear Licht make the Ali Marpet comparison with Barton, as Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds has referred to the former Duke star as “Ali Marpet 2.0” during the pre-draft process.

“Watching Barton at Duke and interviewing him at the Combine, the 6-foot-5, 313-pounder looks, plays, and even talks like Marpet,” Reynolds wrote in his April 5th edition of SR’s Fab 5. “It’s uncanny how Barton looks like Marpet 2.0.”

In Barton’s first interview with the Tampa media on Thursday night, you could get a sense of exactly that. And as he spoke about his game and what he’ll bring to the Tampa Bay offensive line, you could also see and hear why Licht likened him to that trio of Marpet, Jensen and Wirfs.

“I’m a hard worker. I play with grit, I play with toughness,” Barton said via Zoom. “I have a passion for this sport and I truly love what I do, and I think I show that on tape. I don’t think anything’s going to change going from Duke to Tampa Bay. I think I’ll bring that same attitude every day. I’m aggressive. I finish blocks. That’ll never change.

“For me, that’s who I am and that’s what I’ll always be. I plan on bringing that to the [offensive line] room and obviously adding to them and wanting to work with them and build close relationships and kind of immerse myself into the position room.”

Time will tell whether Graham Barton cements himself as a player anywhere near the caliber of that trio of all-time greats, but sharing some of their traits is a hell of a starting point.